Sheriff David Harrison, Jr., and the New York State Sheriff’s Association are partnering to offer the “Yellow Dot”, a program that helps provide vital medical information to first responders. This joint program is being launched in over 30 counties across New York State this week.

Yellow Dot is a free program designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during the first hour, also commonly known as the “golden hour” after a crash or other emergency. The Yellow Dot Kit contains a medical information card and a Yellow Dot decal. Participants complete the card, attach a recent photo, place it in the glove compartment of their vehicle, and place the Yellow Dot on the rear driver’s side window. First responders arriving at the scene of an emergency will be alerted by seeing the Yellow Dot decal to look for the medical information card in the glove compartment. Yellow Dot can also be used at a home by putting the Yellow Dot decal by the door and the information card(s) in a plastic zip lock bag in the freezer or the refrigerator.

"When you can’t speak for yourself, Yellow Dot can speak for you,” said Peter Kehoe, Executive Director of the Sheriffs’ Association. Sheriff Harrison said, “Yellow Dot is a quick and simple way to provide first responders with personal medical information when it’s needed right away.”

Yellow Dot is a free service available to individuals of all ages. This program is funded by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association. The kits will be made available to the public at community events by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, or at the Columbia County Public Safety Building at 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson, New York. For more information and to have a Yellow Dot kit sent to you visit www.nysheriffs.org/yellowdot or call Sheriff’s Office Programs Coordinator Rebecca Milone at 518-828-0601 x 1400.